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The Republic of Honduras has a high adolescent birth rate. Mothers with formal employment have maternity leave, but others rely on extended family or combine work and childcare. Formal marriage is uncommon. Culture and religion influence traditional gender roles, which are evolving. Contraceptive awareness does not necessarily lead to usage; professional prenatal and delivery care is low. Women have organized to protest the disappearance and detainment of family members.

While the overall rate of 3.4 children per mother has fallen sharply since the 1970s, Honduras has the highest adolescent birthrate in Central America. More than half of 20 – to 24-year-olds are mothers by age 20. Being rural and poor and having little education are factors associated with early child-bearing. Many rural women and women with ...